Chain for gripping and supporting metal blanks.



No. 807,541. PATENTED DEG.19, 1905. H. 0. CUNNINGHAM & M. acorns.

CHAIN FOR GRIPPING AND SUPPORTING METAL BLANKS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.20,41905.

2 SHBETSSHEET 1.

PATENTED DEC. 19, 1905. H. G. CUNNINGHAM & M. HOOPES. CHAIN FOR GRIPPINGAND SUPPORTING ME TAL BLANKS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPIHZO 1905.

2 SHEETS--SHEE'1' 2.

STATES PATEN OFFICE.

HOWELL o. CUNNINGHAM AND MAoMILLAN HOOPES, or PHILADELPHIA,PENNSYLVANIA.

CHAIN FOR GRIPPING AND SUPPORTING METAL BLANKS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 19, 1905.

Application filed September 20, 1905. Serial No. 279,238.

ping and Supporting Metal Blanks, of which the following is aspecification.

Our invention has relation to a chain for gripping and supporting metalblanks; and inv such connection it relates more particularly to theconstruction and arrangement of the links of the chain to grip andsecurely hold and support metal blanks while traveling in a straightpath and to release the same and to permit of the removal thereof whenthe chain is traveling in or occupying a curved position. The principalobjects of our invention are, first, to provide the links of a chainwith extensions or projections indented or grooved at opposite sidesthereof to form when pivoted together pincer-like jaws adapted to engageand securely hold in position therein a metal blankfor instance, duringthe passage and heating of the metal blank in a furnaceand, second, toso shape the extensions of the links that when the same are in a normalor substantially parallel position the metal blanks are securely lockedtherein and are released therefrom or inserted therein when the chain ismoved to increase the normal distance between the link projections, andthus changing their substantially parallel. position into an obliqueposition with respect to each other.

The nature, scope, and characteristic features of our invention will bemore fully understood from the following description, taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof, in whichFigure l is a view, partly in side elevation and partly in section,illustrating an oil-furnace, achain having projections formingpincer-like jaws engaging and locking metal blanks in position betweenthe same during the passage of the chain and blanks through the furnace,and a water-tank for cooling the chain and its projections during theirpassage through the water of the tank. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional viewof the chain and furnace shown in Fig. 1 and illustrating the manner ofsupporting the metal blanks in the chain and exposing and holding thesame over the heating-chamber of the furnace. Fig. 3 is a detail View,enlarged, illustrating, partly in side elevation and partly in section,the chain, the manner of clamping and releasing the blanks by theprojections of the links, and means for actuating or moving the chainthrough the furnace and tank; and Figs. 4 and 5 are detail views,enlarged, illustrating, perspectively, the links forming the chain.

Referring to the drawings, (t represents a chain formed of links at anda each having an extension 6, provided at both sides with indentations0. At their upper ends 6 the extensions 6 are preferably rounded and bybeing contracted below'the ends Z). form.

pincer-like jaws. In the parallel or substantially parallel position ofthe extensions Z) the contiguous indentations 0 thereof form a chamberor opening d, substantially annular in outline, so as to nearlysurroundor to partially embrace an object circular incross-section-such, for instance, as a metal blank A, which is intendedto become a rivet, bolt, or screw by the formation of a head thereon. Inthe parallel or substantially parallel position of the extensions 6 theblank A is prevented from being lifted or removed from the chain c bythe expanded portion 6 of the extensions b, which project beyond thedeepest portion of the indentations c, and thus form a contracted outletd for the chamber d, through which the blank A cannot pass. However, itwill be understood that objects of square, oval, or other cross-sectionwill be prevented from being lifted out of the chain as long as the samecannot pass through the contracted outlet d between the extensions I)when the same occupy a parallel or substantially parallel position withrespect to each other. This position is imparted to the extensions b ofthe chain a when the same 00- cupies a straight position or is travelingby being moved over a level support formed, for instance, by certain ofthe walls of an oilfurnace, such as is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of thedrawings.

In order to insert the blanks A into the chain a, the extensions Z2thereof must be brought into an oblique position with respect to eachother, so as to open the same and to permit of the free entrance thereofinto the indentations 0. The rounded ends 6 of the extensions facilitatein this instance the insertion of the blanks A by guiding the samebetween the extensions. This opening of the extensions Z) of the chain ais accomplished by guiding the same over a curved surface-for instance,over a portion of the periphery of a sheaf-wheel e, secured to thefurnace f, as shown in Fig. 1. In the same manner the chain a must beopened to remove the blanks Atherefrom, which in the present instance isaccomplished by passing the same over a sprocket-wheel g, likewisesecured to the furnacef. This sprocket-wheel g serves to move the chaina, with the blanks A inserted therein, over the horizontally-disposedupper portion f of the walls of the furnace f, which is perfectly level,as shown in Fig. 1. In this straight position of the chain at the blanksA are securely held between the pincer-like extensionsbof the chain a,and by being clamped in this position the blanks Amay safely beoverbalanced in the chain az'. a, the greater portion thereof mayproject beyond the chain when it is necessary to heatone end only of theblanks A by exposing the same into and over the heating-chamber f of thefurnace f, as shown in Fig. I 2. The blanks A so heated may then formrivets, bolts, or screws when provided with a head formed by the usualheading operation. As shown in Fig. 3, in the normal or straightposition of the chain a the lateral projections b of the extensions 6 donot abut against each other, but leave a certain space between the linksa and a which permit the extensions 6 to be brought nearer together, soas to securely grip blanks or similar objects of less diameter than theblanks A shown. On the other hand, blanks of somewhat greater diameterthan the blanks shown will still be securely gripped by, the pincer-likeextensions 6, as in this instance the same will be engaged by theportions 0Z of the extensions and a considerable portion of the surfaceof the indentations 0 adjacent to the portions d As shown in Figs. 3 and4 of the drawings, the link a is provided with a slot a. adapted toreceive the teeth g of the sprocket-wheel g, which moves the chain aover the supporting-surface f of the furnace f at a speed sufficient torender the overbalanced portion of the blanks A white hot or bring thesame into condition for the heading. operation. The

teeth 9 of the sprocket-wheel g abut against the projecting eyes a ofthe link (0 which are inserted into the slot (0* of the link a and areconnected with the same by bolts t, passing through the eyes a and (6 ofthe links a and a In order to facilitate the removal of the blanks Afrom the chain a, each of the brackets h of the sprocket-wheel g areprovided with downwardly-projecting stripping-arms it, which byextending into the path of travel of the blanks A, carried by the chaina, forces the blanks A out of the chain.

Below the oil-furnace f is preferably arranged a tank 0, through thewater of which the chains a and a, employed in the furnace f, are guidedto cool the chain before reaching the furnace, as shown in Figs. 1 and2.

Having thus described thenature and objects of our invention, what weclaim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a new article of manufacture, a chain consisting of links having aprojection expanded at its free end to form in a parallel orsubstantially parallel position of the same, openings having contractedoutlets to securely clamp and to prevent removal of an article placed insaid openings.

*2. In a new article of manufacture, achain consisting of links eachhaving a contracted,

and expanded projection to form in a parallel or substantially parallelposition of the projections, openings with contracted outlets betweenthe, same, said openings adapted to receive and to securely hold anarticle introduced therein.

3. In a new article of manufacture, a chain consisting of links, eachhaving a laterally extending contracted and expanded projection to formin a substantially parallel position of the projections, openings withcontracted outlets, said outlets adapted to securely hold the articleplaced in said openings.

4:. In a new article of manufacture, a chain consisting of links, eachhaving a laterallyextending contracted and expanded projection to formin a substantially parallel position of the projections openings ofsubstantially circular outline having contracted out-- lets, saidoutlets adapted to securely hold the article placed in said openings,and to permit of the insertion or removal of the same when saidprojections assume a substantially obliq ue HOWELL O. CUNNINGHAM.MACMILLAN HOOPES.

Witnesses:

WILHELM Voe'r, THoMAs M. SMITH.

